Basil — Herbs

Ocimum basilicum

Full sun, light watering — indoors or out in high summer.

Photograph of Basil — iNaturalist / GBIF

Sow: Apr
Plant out: Jun
Harvest: Aug
In flower: Jun, Jul, Aug

Sun: Full sun
Water: Low
Hardiness: H1c
Season: autumn
Height: 10–50 cm
Spacing: 50 cm
Pets: Safe around pets

Grows well with

Pepper — Use the same zone twice over. Sow basil early in the season, then plant your peppers into it as the basil comes to maturity; by the time the basil is cleared the peppers are filling the space.Coriander — Coriander grown in a crop of basil has at times been found to put unwanted insects off it. Let some of the coriander flower, which is when it does most for beneficial insects.Tomato — Basil grown alongside tomatoes has cut thrips numbers in trials, both outdoors and under glass.

Growing notes

Grows to 0.1-0.5 metres. Space about 10-50cm apart. In flower Jun-Aug.